Ice had Anne staying at her grandmothers house for a few days.
He didn't feel comfortable having her be at the house for a little while, especially since whoever is trying to kill him knows where he lives.
So, he stayed alone in his home. He sat in his office and typed away on his computer. He was working on his PEACE project, cause the president needed the information soon. He sighed tiredly as his phone vibrated.
He looked and saw a text message.
Maverick
Ice picked up the phone and looked at the message that Maverick sent him.
Mav: everything okay?
Ice: yeah. Just working from home today. Need a break from headquarters.
Mav: I get that. Want me to come over? I can bring food. ✨
Ice chuckled and sighed. He didn't want Maverick straining himself too much. Granted Mav was healing really well, but he didn't want him having to drive all the way over to his home off base.
Ice: only if you want to. I don't want to stress you. You're still healing.
Mav: it won't stress me out. It'll be good for me to get out. I'll be there in 30
Ice: alright. See yah.
Ice placed his phone on the table and continued working until he paused. He heard something from the back door.
He knew Maverick wasn't there obviously. Ice closed his computer and stepped out of his room. The lights were all off.
He then heard nothing. He sighed and held his head as he yelled at himself internally for being paranoid.
As he turned to back into his office he paused and heard steps.
He's not paranoid.
He turned the lights all on and saw two people on opposing sides suddenly start to rush him. He rushed into his office and locked the door.
He grabbed his gun and turn the lights off. Panic was starting to settle in his mind, and Maverick was on his way.
Maverick could not get caught in this crossfire. Not in his condition.
Ice hid on the opposing side of the door as they broke through.
He aimed and shot one in the arm. The other mercenary kicked the gun from his hands and tackled him.
Ice hit the ground and was being strangled by the mercenary on top of him. He winced as he kicked the mercenary off of him. He tried to get up, but the other kicked him into the wall.
Ice cried out in pain. Maverick and his daughter flashed in his mind. He quickly got up and dove for his gun.
He shot one of the mercenaries dead. He panted as he felt his head start to throb in pain. He couldn't focus.
He barely dodged a punched as he tried to gather himself. He ran out of the office. He suddenly heard a knock at the door.
Both Ice and mercenary paused. Ice rushed towards the door but was tackled right in front of it and being strangled again.
Ice cringed and tried to reach for his gun. He tried to push the mercenary off of him. He felt himself slipping, but he fought through the pain and grabbed the gun, then shooting the mercenary.
The person fell on top of him. He gasped for air and pushed the mercenary off of him.
Ice sat up and was rubbing his neck as he sat there. He was feeling a bit blank. But snapped back to reality when Maverick called for him.
"Ice!" Maverick yelled from the door. Ice simply stood up and opened the door. Mavericks eyes widened. He quickly put the food down and rushed over to Ice.
Maverick was getting ready to panic but Ice just leaned his head onto Mavericks shoulder. Ice just held Mavericks shirt slightly.
His hands were shaking.
Maverick noticed and hugged him as he saw the semi destroyed house. "Are you okay?" Maverick asked him calmly.
"No..."
Maverick called the medical team and investigation team to come help him out.
A nurse had Ice sitting on a desk. She was treating a cut he had on his cheek and arm.
Maverick leaned against the door frame watching protectively as if someone might try something again.
Ice stared blankly at the wall.
Maverick knew this look. It was Ice giving up.
Ice was at the end of his rope in that moment. Maverick knew. It was the same look when his husband died.
Maverick simply walked over as the nurse finished.
Ice didn't meet Mavericks gaze at all. Maverick saw the bruises forming on Ices neck darkly.
Seeing those bluish purple bruises on his neck made Maverick angry.
The nurse left the two there as she went to go write a report on the incident.
Maverick gently took Ices hand into his. Ice squeezed his hand tightly. Mav knelt down in front of him and turned his face towards him gently.
Ice looked at him.
"Are you okay?"
Ice looked down and just looked at the ground. "What... what if Anne was here?" He mumbled. He was frustrated, he just... he just wanted it all to stop.
"Don't think about that... she wasn't here-"
"What if he opened the door and shot you..." ice said. Maverick looked at him concerned.
"I fought that man from opening the door. I didn't want to see you die..." ice teared up and lowered his head as he felt his anger start to pour out.
Maverick squeezed his hand. "Ice... he didn't open the door. I am right here... I'm alive."
Maverick took his hand and placed it where his heart was. "I'm okay..."
Ice calmed down slightly but he was just so frustrated with his life. Everything went so wrong in the past month basically.
He couldn't lose anyone else.
"I-I'm just so tired of this. I'm tired of being alone, I'm tired of being hunted..."
"You're not alone." Maverick said as he looked at him. Ice just stared at the ground.
"If you were alone, would I be here?" Maverick said. Ice shook his head.
"Good... and so that you're not alone, you're coming over to my barracks, and staying there until the threat is gone. Anne is welcome too." Mav said as he grabbed Ices jacket, computer and keycard.
"Mav.. you don't have to do that."
"I'm going to. You took care of me when I was hurt, let me repay the favor back. Okay?"
Ice just sighed.
"Fine."